Container glossary

The 36 most-used terms in container trade, transport and conversion. Each definition is concise, non-promotional, and use-oriented.

ByContainerEU Editorial TeamPublished on 15 février 2026Last updated on 12 avril 2026

Formats and types

Dry container(DV, Dry Van): Standard waterproof container with rigid corten steel walls, used for dry goods. The most common format: 95% of the global fleet is dry containers.
20-foot container(20', 20DV, TEU): Standard format 6.06 m long × 2.44 m wide × 2.59 m tall, usable volume 33 m³, max load ~28 t. Reference unit for capacity calculations (1 TEU).
40-foot container(40', 40DV, FEU): Standard format 12.19 m long, usable volume 67 m³, max load ~26 t. Around 70% of global maritime flows in TEU equivalent.
High cube (HC)(40HC, Tall container): 40-foot variant with internal height of 2.69 m (vs 2.39 m standard). +13% usable volume for the same footprint. Sought after for bulky cargo and habitat conversion.
Reefer(Refrigerated container): Insulated container with built-in refrigeration unit, range -25 °C to +25 °C. 380 V three-phase power supply when stationary, diesel generator for transport. Essential for perishables and pharma.
Open top(Open-top container): Container whose roof is replaced by a removable tarpaulin. Allows crane loading (machinery, oversize loads in height). Corner reinforcements equivalent to a dry container.
Flat rack(Platform container): Platform with two foldable end walls. For heavy, indivisible or oversize cargo (yachts, metal structures, vehicles). No roof, no side walls.
Tank container(ISO tank): Stainless steel cylindrical tank mounted in a 20-foot ISO frame. For industrial and food liquids (oils, wines, chemicals). Must comply with ADR/IMDG standards depending on contents.

Conditions and quality

New container(One trip, First trip): Container leaving the manufacturer's plant (mostly China) having made a single maritime journey — therefore considered "new" upon arrival in Europe. Near-pristine appearance, price +30 to +50% vs used.
First trip(One trip, Single voyage): Synonym of "one trip". Often used interchangeably with "new container" in European trade.
Used container(Cargo worthy): Container that has made several maritime voyages. Graded in three classes: Class A (fit for maritime transport, valid CSC certificate), Class B (WWT watertight, no longer for transport but ok for storage), Class C (advanced corrosion, raw sale for conversion).
WWT(Wind & Water Tight): Quality label meaning "wind and water tight". Guarantees no leaks but does NOT guarantee fitness for international maritime transport. Standard for static storage use.
Cargo Worthy (CW)(CW): Container certified fit for international maritime transport, valid CSC certificate. All new containers are CW; some used Class A containers are also CW.

Measurements and codes

TEU(Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit): Measurement unit: 1 TEU = one 20-foot container. A 40-foot counts as 2 TEU. Standard metric for ship and port terminal capacity.
Payload(Net load): Maximum mass of cargo the container can hold. = MGW - tare. Typically 28 t for a 20-foot, 26 t for a 40-foot.
Tare(Empty weight): Empty mass of the container, engraved on the CSC plate. ~2.2 t for a 20-foot, ~3.8 t for a 40-foot, ~4 t for a high cube.
MGW(Maximum Gross Weight, MGW): Maximum gross weight admissible (tare + load). 30.48 t for a standard 20-foot, 32.5 t for a 40-foot. Imposed by ISO and port handling rules.
ISO 6346(Owner code): International standard for container coding: 4 letters (owner), 6 digits (serial number), 1 check digit. Visible on the door. Enables global tracking.
CSC(Convention for Safe Containers): 1972 international convention requiring a safety certificate (CSC plate) on every container transported by sea. Inspection every 5 years (ACEP) or 30 months depending on regime.

Logistics and transport

Incoterms(EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP): International commercial terms (ICC) that allocate costs and risks between seller and buyer. Most common: EXW (ex-works, buyer takes everything), FOB (free on board, seller delivers to port), CIF (seller pays freight + insurance to destination port), DDP (seller delivers duty-paid to final address).
THC(Terminal Handling Charges): Port handling fees charged by the terminal to load/unload a container from the ship. Variable by port (€200 to €500 average in Europe). Included in CIF/DDP, not in FOB.
Demurrage: Penalty charged by the carrier when a container stays too long INSIDE the port terminal (beyond a 5-7 day grace period). €50 to €200 per day. To be distinguished from detention.
Detention: Penalty charged when the container has left the terminal but is held OUTSIDE the terminal (at the consignee's) beyond the grace period. Penalises late return of the empty container to the carrier.
Stuffing(Loading): Operation of loading goods into the container at departure. The "stuffing plan" optimises blocking and weight distribution to comply with MGW and avoid damage.
Stripping(Unloading): Reverse operation of stuffing: unloading the goods from the container at the consignee's site upon arrival.

Purchase, rental, taxation

Multi-vendor quotes(Comparison shopping): Process of requesting several offers in parallel for the same need. Provides market price benchmarking and competitive pricing. Typical savings: 10 to 25% vs a single supplier.
Lead(Qualified prospect): Quote request submitted by an identified buyer with their need specified (type, quantity, delivery, schedule). Distinct from a simple unqualified contact.
Deposit(Security deposit): In rentals, an amount blocked at the start and refunded at end of contract if the container is returned in good condition. Typically €500 to €2,000 depending on type and duration.
VAT reverse charge(Reverse charge): Intra-EU mechanism: for a B2B purchase between two EU countries, the seller invoices net of VAT and the buyer reverse-charges the VAT in their country. No cash outflow, just a bookkeeping entry. Requires valid intra-EU VAT numbers on both sides (VIES verifiable).
T2L document(T2LF, Community status proof): Customs document proving the "Community goods" status of a container transiting through a French port to another Member State. Avoids import declaration and import VAT.
Temporary admission(TA): Customs regime allowing temporary entry of a container into a country without paying customs duties, provided it leaves again. Used for exhibitions, events, cross-border construction sites.

Habitat and regulation

RT2020 / RE2020(Environmental regulation): French regulation imposing an energy efficiency threshold for new buildings since 2022. A habitable container house is subject to it (insulation, airtightness, ventilation).
Building permit(BP): Planning permission required for any construction over 20 m² (5 m² in urban zones if external modification). A container placed permanently (more than 3 months) falls into this category. 2-3 month processing time.
Prior declaration(PD): Simplified procedure for buildings of 5 to 20 m² (or garden sheds). 1 month processing. Insufficient for full housing; ok for an occasional workshop or office.
RAL code(Colour reference): International standard colour reference (e.g. RAL 5010 = gentian blue, RAL 9005 = jet black). Allows specifying without ambiguity the colour of a custom-painted container body.
ATEX(Explosive atmospheres): European directive 2014/34/EU on equipment in explosion-risk zones. Affects refrigerated containers or workshops located near chemical/fuel storage.

Dernière revue éditoriale : April 12, 2026

Missing a term? Suggest an addition